Stenciling machine



May 25 1926.

- E. G. RwL'EY STENCILING MACHINE File-d July 19, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Affe/we] May 25 1926.

E. G. ROWLEY STENCILING MACHINE Fileduuly 19.4 1924 2 sheets-sneu 2 Patented May 25, 1926. l

UNITED STTE PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD Gr. ROWLEY, 0F BELLEVILLE, NEW JERSEY, .ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

STENCILING- MACHINE.

Application filed July 19,

cylinder has been revolved to bring any del sired portion thereof "to the bottom, the fountain may be shifted upon its support to bring a series of ink-feeding apertures or ports to the bottom, and in this position the fountain may be operated to cause a supply of ink to reach the wall of the cylinder.

One feature of the invention is the provision of means effective to forcibly expel ink from the fountain and through a serie/s -ofv ink-feeding ports or nozzles in the wall thereof.

Another feature is the provision of suit-- ably spaced ports or nozzles in which the amount of ink expelled in each operation may be determined by the size of cavity openings .or pockets communicating from the ports into the interior of the fountain.

Another feature is the provision of means to automatically clean the .ink-feeding ports each time the device is .operated,.and thus preclude'any tendency to become inoperative through clogging.

' `The invention further contemplates means operable to relieve any vacuum tendency within the fountainv to permit the cavities or pockets to ill with ink and then to expel the ink therefrom and onto` the wall ofthe stencil cylinder.

Another feature is the provision ofy a novel and simplified locking mechanism for holding the fountain against movement during the inling process.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of an ink distributor or spreader which will be inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, and of extreme simplicity in operation.

For illustrative purposes, I have `shown in the accompanying drawings my inkdistributing fountain installed in a conven- 1924.' serial No. 726,937.

tional form of stenciling machine, in which a perforated hollow cylinder or drum is covered with an ink-blanket, and a stencilsheet is laid upon'the blanket, the paper to be stenciled being run between the stencilsheet and a pressure roll, the ink being applied to the interior of the cylinder and taken up by the ink-blanket upon the exterior thereof.

'Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

-In the accompanying drawings,

-Figure 1 is a-vertical longitudinal section of the stencil cylinder, showing the inking vdevice in elevation, with one end broken away to show the interior structure.

Figui-e2 is an enlarged vertical cross-section of the inking device taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 3. l

Figlne 3 is an enlarged side elevation of oneend of the inking device, partly broken away, showing the ink-trough and air-valve closed. f

vFigure is a vertical section through the inkiig device taken on the line 4.--4 of Figure Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the air-valve and ink-through in an opened position.

Figure 6 isa horizontal longitudinal section through the inking device taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an end view in elevation of the inking'device in inoperative position.

Referring with particularity to Figure 1, the reference vcharacter l() designates a base upon which a pair of end frames 11 and 12 are mounted. A hollow shaft or trunnion 13 passes horizontally through a hollow boss 14 forming the upper portion of the end frame 12, and is secured therein by suitable means, such as aset-screw 15. The trunnion provides a bearing upon which one end of a stencil cylinder 16 revolves, the opposite end ofthe cylinder being supported in a yokeshaped portion 17 of the end frame 11 and revolving on rollers 18 mounted in this frame. A handle 19 secured to the outer end of the cylinder 16 provides. means whereby motion may be imparted to the cylinder to revolve the same about its axis. Y

Reference numeral 20 indicates the usual face of the stencil cylinder, the ends being suitably secured by means well known in the art.

An ink-container or fountain 2l comprising a cylindrical body 22 and end caps 23 and 24 is revolubly shiftable within the stencil cylinder 16, so as to permit the fountain to be turned to operative position or out lof operation. The end caps 23 and 24 are formed with flanges which fit within the ends of the cylindrical body 22, and are securely fastened therein by means of screws 25, or in any other manner found desirable. A bracket member 26 mounted upon an extension of the trunnion, interior of the cylinder 16, has a tubular boss 27 which extends into an inwardly-directed collar 23 of the end cap 24, providing a bearing upon which the fountain may be revolubly shifted. The bracket is securely held in position by means of a set-screw 26. A pin 29 having a head 30 bearing against the outer end of the collar 23 passes through the tubular boss 27, the shank of the pin being threaded adjacent its outer end to receive a suitable nut 3l and a cotter pin 32. A compression washer 33 between the nut 3l and the outer side of the bracket member 26 causes the outer side of the end cap 24 to be drawn up into frictional engagement with the adjacent face of said bracket member, thus securely holding and bracing the container within the stencil cylinder, while, at the same time, allowing the container to be shifted about its axis from one position to another.

A. rectangular channel 34 is cut into or formed in the inner wall of the cylind 'ical body 22 and extends longitudinally throughout the greater portion of the length thereof, the channel terminating at both ends at a point short of the out-er ends of the container. Aligned perforations 35 communicate from the channel 34 to the outer wall of the container and register with a series of cup-shaped depressions 36 having reduced outlet. nozzles or ports 37 formed in a housing 38. It will be noted that the housing 38 provides a covering for a pair of brushes 39 which extend parallel with each other throughout the length of the housing, the brushes being disposed on each side of the outletports 37 and equally distanced therefrom. The housing also acts in the capacity of a trough when turned to the Figure 7 position to catch eXcess ink which may drain from the various parts and prevents said excess ink from flowing over the outer wall of the container. Bristles 39', forming a part of the brushes 39, are effective to contact with the wall of the stencil cylinder when the fountain is in operative position. Screws, such as those indicated at 40, pass through perforations in the ends of the brushes 39, then through perforations in the housing member 37, and into the flanged portions of the end caps 23 and 24, thus securing the brushes rigidly in position, and the housing member against the outer wall of the container.

ln order to prevent air from entering ther fountain when out of use, a scaling device or stopper 4l interior of the fountain normally covers the channel and presses thereagainst to eljl'cctivt-xlj.y al the same. .its shown in thc drawings, particular' attenA tion being invited to Figures and 6., the stopper 4l comprises a member 42 which e31- tends throughout the length of the fountain parallel with and closely adjacent the channel 34. A dovetail slot 43 provided in one face of the member 42 receives a corresponding `-shaped dovetail portion 44 of a pail or strip 45 of material, such as -felt or other material suitable for the purpos Y. The meinber 42 is mounted for movement toward and away from the channel 34, and to this end is provided with an outstanding lug 46 atljacent one end and a similar lug 4'? at the other end. Links 46 and 47 are pivoted rcspectively at 43 and 49 to the lugs 46 and 4T. '.lhe other ends of the links are each formed with a yoke 51 having a square perforation for receiving a square shaft 52 which extends parallel with the member 42, the shaft being rounded immediately adjacent its extremities and received in bearings 53 and 54 in the respective end caps 23 and 24. Tension springs 5l encircling the squared shaft adjacent the yokes 5l bear against one edge of the links, as clearly shown in Figure 2, and against the wall of the fountain, and are normally effective to cause the stopper to be pressed against the channel 34 to seal the saine.

lt will be noted that there is a chamber 34 formed between the under surface of the stopperand the bottom of the channel when the stopper is in sealing position; and thus all of the cup-shaped depressions have common communication with the chamber. Convenient means for operating the stopper and relievingl any vacuum tendency within the fountain is provided and assumes the form of a leverl 55 pivoted intermediate the ends thereof at 56 for rocking movement in suitable bearings on a boss 57 which is usually.' cast integrally with the end cap 23. The operating arm of the lever 55 is curved down to provide a convenient finger-piece 58. The other arm entends over the outer wall of the fountain and is forked, as indicated at 59. A plug-,valve 60 has free move-- ment within a perforation 61 in the wall of the fountain 2l, and is arranged to close upon a valve-seat 62 formed in a lip 62 of the end cap 23 which extends within the interior of the fountain. The plug-valve 66 has a stem 63 which is curved at 64 to engage in a slot 65 in the upstanding lug 46,

lll() a certain amount of play being provided by the slot before the stem Will become effective to impart motion to the stopper 11. However, a perforation may be used instead of the slot, in which case both valve and stopper' will be operated sin'iultaneously. rlhe upper end of the stem 63 has a head 66, and the forked portion of the arm of the lever engages around the stem and under the head to provide an operating connection between the lever' 55 and the mechanism to be operated thereby.

A. coil tension spring 67 guided by a pin (3S in the boss 57 exerts pressure against the end portion of the lever 55 (see Figures 3 and 5) to rock the same, and cause the forked portion 59 to force the plug-valve 60 against its seat 62 to effectually seal the container so as to exclude air. ln order to provide access to the interior of the fountain for filling purposes, the end cap 23 is formed or cast with a spout 69 having a sealing cap 7 0 which has threaded engagement with the mouth of the spout 69. A suitable Washer 71 seals the container against leakage.

It is necessary in a device of this nature, when applying ink to the Walls of the stencil cylinder, to hold the distributing brushes firmly in position, and to this end l provide the end cap 24 with a flange 7 2 having a notch or fork 73 formed in the edge thereof and diametrically opposite the brushes 39, the fork co-operating with a suitable lock ing device, Which will now be described. rlhe fork 7 3 is effective to register With and receive 4the end of a latch pin 74, Which is slidable laterally Within a barrel 75 of the trunnion 13, the pin being reduced intermediate its ends to form a shoulder 76 and a stem 77. A plug 7 S is centrally perforated to permit the stem 77 to project therethrough, the free end of the stem being capped by an operating knob 79. A compression spring 80 between the shoulder 76 and the plug 78 causes the latch pin 7 l to be projected into engagement With the fork 78, assuming the fountain to have been turned to operative position.

0y)eration- Considering the fountain to be in the position illustrated in Figure 7, which is its normal position When out of operation, the cap 7() may be removed'and the fountain filled with ink. The fountain is then grasped adjacent its outer end and shifted about its axis one-half of a revolution until it assumes the Figure 2 position, the latch pin 74 having been pulled against its spring tension to alloriT the fork 7 3 to align With the pin. The pin is then allowed to project intothe fork and thus lock the fountain against turning. ln this position the finger-piece 58 may then be depressed to cause the plug-valve to open, and the stem 63, through its operating connection, to lift the stopper 41 from the channel 34.

This per-mits ink to flow into the channel and the cup-shaped depressions 36. A sul sequent release of the linger-piece causes the stopper' 41 to close the stopper against the channel, and it will be seen that ink contained therein will be forcibly expelled therefrom and projected through the outlet ports 37v and onto the wall of the stencil cylinder. Upon shifting the stencil cylinder about its axis, the brushes 59 will effectually distribute ink in an even film upon the surface thereof. lt Will be readily apparent that the amount o-f ink expelled in 4each operation can be regulated by the size of the cup-shaped depressions, and that the outlet ports Will be cleared upon each inking operation of the device, thus obviating any tendency to become clogged With ink.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used Without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a. revoluble stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported Within said cylinder, said fountain having a. channel in the interior Wall thereof and a series of inkfeeding ports communicating from said channel to the exterior of the fountain, said ports being enlarged adjacent said channel to form ink-pockets or cavities, and means closing upon said channel and forcibly expelling ink from said ink-.pockets or cavities through the ports and onto the Wall of the cylinder.

2. In a duplicatingmachine, the combination With a revoluble stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported therein, said fountain having a series of ink-feeding ports in the side thereof, and a sealing device op-l erable to permit said ports to lill With ink and then bear against the ports to expel the ink therefrom.

3. In a duplicating machine, the combination With a revoluble stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported Within said cylinder, said fountain having a channel along` the interior Wall thereof and a series of inkfeeding ports communicating from said channel to the exterior of the fountain, and a sealing device operable to permit said channel Vand ports to lill With ink and then bear against the channel to expel the ink therefrom and through the ports.

4L. In a duplicating machine, the combination With a revoluble stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported therein, said fountain having a channel formed in the interior vvall thereof and a series of ink-feeding ports communicating from said channel to the interior of the fountain, said ports being enlarged adjacent said channel, and a sealing device operable to permit said channel and the enlarged portions of the ports to fill with ink and then hear against the channel to x,Xpel ink therefrom and through the ports,

5. lu a duplicating; machine, the combination with a revoluble stencil cylinder, of an inlting` device supported therein, said device having' a series of ink-feeding ports therein, the ports heilig flared or enlarged as they communicate with the interior of said inhing device.

G. in a duplicating machine, the coinhination ivith a revoluble stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported therein, said fountain hai/inga channel extending longitudinallyy of the interior wall thereof and a plurality of ink-feeding' ports in common con'nnnnication with one another throughout the length of said channel.

'l'. ln a duplicating machine, the combination with a revoluhle stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported therein, said fountain having a channel extending,` longitudin ally of the interior Wall thereof, a series of depressions or pockets in the bottom of the channel, and ink-feeding ports opening,Y from said depressions or .pockets to the exterior of the fountain.

8. ln a duplicating` machine, the comhination with a revolulole stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported therein, said fountain having a channel extending longitudinally of the interior Wall thereof, a series of cup-shaped pockets in the bottom of the channel, and reduced nozzles communicatingfrom said pockets to the exterior of the fountain.

9. In a duplicating` machine, the combination with a revoluhle stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported therein, said fountain having a series of ink-feeding ports in the side thereof, a device co-operating with the ports to seal or unseal the same, an air-admission valve in the Wall of the fountain, connections between the sealing device and the air-admission valve, means for im parting` motion to the connections to cause said valve to admit air to the fountain and unseal the ports to permit the same to fill with inlr, and means effective upon release of said motion-imparting means to automatically cause the sealing device to close upon the ports to expel the ink therefrom and then seal the fountain from air.

l0. in a duplicating machine, the combination with a revoluhle stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported therein, said fountain having` a series of aligned ink-feeding ports in the side thereof and a channel in the interior Wall of' the fountain in common communication with said ports, a device cooperatingl with 'the channel to seal or unscal the same, an air-admission valve in the vfall of the fountain, connections loetween the sealing` device and the air-admission valve, means for imparting motion to the connections to cause said valve to admit air to the fountain and unseal the channel to permit said channel and ports to .lill with ink, and means effective upon release of said uiation-Aiinparting means to automatically ca the scalingl device to close upon the channel to forcihly expel inl: through the ports and then seal the fountain from air.

ll. .ln a duplicating machine, the co1nl ination with a stencil cylinder, of an inkfountain supported therein, said fountain having a channel extending longitudinally of its interior Wall and a series of cavities or pockets in the bottom of the channel, reduced nozzles communicating` from said pockets with the exterior of the fountain, a device co-operatinfg,l with the channel to seal or unscal the same, an air-admission valve in the Wall of the fountain, connections hetween the sealing device and the valve, means for imparting' motion to the connections to cause said valve to admit air to the fountain and then unseal the channel to il'iermit said channel and pockets to lill with ink, and means effective upon release of said motion-in'iparting means to automatically cause the sea-ling` device lo clos(l upon the channel to expel the ink from said pockets and through the nozzles and then seal the fountain from air.

l2. In a duplicating` machine, the coinhination With a revoluhle stencil-cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported therein, said fountain having a series of ports through which inl( reaches the stencil-cylinder, an air-admission valve for the fountain, a pad sealing said ports When the valve is in closed condition, means for raising said pad from the ports to permit them to fill, the valve opening` automatically during the pad-raising operation, and means for forcing said pad against the ports to expel the ink therefrom and then seal the ports, said valve closing' during the ink-expelling operation.

13. In a duplicating machine, the combination With a revolulole stencil cylinder` of an ink-fountain supported therein, said fountain having` a series of aligned inkfeeding" ports in the side thereof and a channel in the interior Wall of the fountain in communication with said ports, and a movable sealing,r device Within the fountain normally effective to close upon the channel to seal the same, said device forming a chamber With the channel when closed thereupon, the ports being maintained in common communication with one another throughout the length of the chamber so formed.

14C. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a revoluhle stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported therein, said fountain having a channel extending longitudinally of its interior Wall and a series of cup-shaped cavities or pockets in the lll) bottom of the channel, said pockets communicating through reduced nozzles with the exterior of the fountain.

15. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a revoluble stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported therein, said fountain having a channel extending longitudinally of its interior wall and a series of cup-shaped cavities or pockets in the bot# tom of the channel, said pockets communi-- eating through reduced nozzles with the exterior of the fountain, and a movable sealing device operable to cover the chaimel and press thereagainst to cause ink contained within the pockets to be expelled therefrom and forced out of the nozzles.

16. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a revoluble stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported therein, said fountain having a channel extending longitudinally of its interior wall and a series of cup-shaped cavities or pockets formed in the bot-tom of the channel, said pockets communicating through red-uced nozzles with the exterior of the fountain, a movable sealing device for the channel, bearing supports at each end of the fountain adjacent said sealing device, a shaft mounted in the bearings, linkage between the sealing device and the shaft, resilient means cooperating with said sealing device to cause the same to normally close upon the channel to seal the same, a normally closed air-admission valve in the wall of the fountain, connections between the sealing device and the valve, and an operating handle engaging said connections for simultaneously opening the valve to admit air to the fountain and unsealing the channel.

17. Ina duplicating machine, the combination with a revoluble stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported within the cylinder, said fountain having a series of inkfeeding ports in the side thereof, and means for automatically clearing said ports of ink upon each inling operation of the fountain.

18. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a revoluble stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain supported within the cylinder, said fountain having a series of inkfeeding ports in the side thereof, and pressure means operating within the fountain to automatically clear the inlrfeeding ports of ink each time an inking operation is performed.

19. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a revoluble stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain rotatably shiftable within said cylinder, said fountain having a series of ink-feeding ports in the side thereof, means for forcibly expelling ink through said ports onto the wall 0f the cylinder, and brushes carried by the fountain effective to contact with the cylinder to spread ink over the surface thereof when the cylinder is revolved about its axis.

20. In aduplicating machine, the combination with a revoluble stencil cylinder, of

an ink-fountain rotatably shiftable within A said cylinder, said fountain having a series brushes carried by the fountain effective to contact with the cylinder to spread said ink over the surface thereof when the cylinder is revolved about its axis, and a housing or shield around the sides of the brushes for catching excess ink which may drain from said brushes when the fountain has been inverted to inoperative position. j

21. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a revoluble stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain rotatably shiftable about its axis within said cylinder, and releasable stop means arranged to be projected laterally into engagement with said fountain to secure the same against shifting.

22. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a revoluble stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain rotatably shiftable about its axis within said cylinder, a stop associated with one of the outer ends of said cylinder, and a releasable detent arranged to be projected laterally into engagement with the stop to secure the fountain against shifting.

23. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a revoluble stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain rotatably shiftable about its axis within said cylinder, one end of said fountain being provided with a .notch or fork, and a releasable detent arranged to be projected laterally into engagement with said notch or fork to secure said ink-fountain against shifting.

24. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a revoluble. stencil cylinder, of an ink-fountain rotatably shiftable about its axis within said cylinder, one end of said fountain being provided with a flange, a notch or fork forming a portion of said flange, a releasable detent effective to engage said notch or fork to secure said fountain against shifting, and means for releasing sai'd detent from engagement with the notch or fork.

25. The combination with a duplicating machine including a revoluble stencil cylinder, of a stationary frame secured within one end of said cylinder, a h-ollovT shaft forming a portion of the frame, an inkfountain mounted upon the shaft and rotatably shiftable thereon, a notch or fork associated with that portion of the fountain adjacent the frame, a slidable pin extend'- ing through said hollow shaft to register with the notch or fork when the fountain is in operative position, and resilient means for causing said pin to be projected into enllO gagement with said notch or fork to prevent shifting of the Jfountain when so positioned.

26. The combination with a duplicating` machine including e revoluble stencil cylinder, o't a stationary7 'traine secured within one end oit said cylinder, a hollow shaft forming` a portion ot' the frame, an inlt'ountain mounted upon the shat't and rotatably shiftable thereon, a notch or forli' sociated with that portion ot the fountain adjacent the frame, a slidable pin extending through said hollow shat't to register with the notch or Yfork when the 'fountain is in operative position, seid pin beingreduced in diameter for a portion olfj its length to provide e shoulder, resilient ineans within the shaft acting; against the shoulder to cause the pin to be projected into engagement with the fork or notch, and means 'for withdrawing' said pin from such engagement against the action of seid resilient means.

27. lThe. combination with a duplicating machine including a revoluble stencil cylinder, of a stationary frame secured within one end of said cylinder, a hollow shaft forming a portion of the frame7 an inl;- fountain mounted upon the shaft and rotatably shiftable thereon, a notch or forli essociated with that portion olf the fountain adjacent the traine, :i slidable pin extending` through said hollow portion olf the sha't to register with the no *ch or 'forli when the fountain isiin operative posit-ion, said pin being reduced in diameter for a portion olE its length to provide a shoulder and a stehn the outer end ot said hollow shaft benin` provided with a stop having' n perforation disposed centrally thereof, said stem project-- ingl through the perforation, resilient means acting` against said shoulder and stop to cause the pin to engage the notch or forli, and means operable to withdraw the pin from such engagement.

EDVARD G. ROVVLEY. 

